Inner tube boat frame



y 9, 1961 J. w. AMBROSE 2,983,245

INNER TUBE BOAT FRAME Filed y 9, 1960 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 IN V EN TOR.

James Wesley Ambrose iWW y 1961 J. w. AMBROSE 2,983,245

INNER TUBE BOAT FRAME Filed May 9, 1960 -2 Sheets-Sheet 2 A k I Fig. 5.

INVENTOR. James Wesley Ambrose United States Patent INNER TUBE BOAT FRAME James Wesley Ambrose, Portland, 0reg., assignor to Earl 0. Williams, Arcata, Calif.

Filed May 9, 1960, Ser. No. 27,700

Claims. (Cl. 115-263) This invention relates to new and useful devices for supporting children in water and, more particularly, to a new and useful frameto be used in combination with an inflated inner tube. i I i It is well known that. for many years the inflated tire tube has been a continued source of enjoyment for children when playing in water. Such devices usually available on' the household premises have been employed as swimming aids, safety devices and amusement means for childreninthe lake, surf or swimming pool because of their good buoyant qualities. However, despite its desirable characteristics, the inflated, inner tube is easily capsized and diflicult to grasp when wet.-;. For-these reasons the value of the-tube as a safety device is question- I able, and many have come to regard it as an attractive nuisance potentially dangerous to beginning swimmers The preferred embodiment of the within invention provides a new and useful water vehicle for children bycorm bining with an inner tube a frame comprising a sheet of and the like. Also, becauseof its shape and bulk, the l swimmer finds it diflicult to propel the tube in water. 1 the tube stabilizes the frame in much the same manner material having a horizontal extension :greaterthan the outside diameter of theinflated inner tube and avertical 7 extension greater than the outside cross sectional diameter.'of the tube. This, defines a substantially U-shaped ,cut outlocated betweenthe vertical margin of the frame to' receive the tube normal to and projected laterally on opposite sides of the frame. The cut out terminates at oppositely-disposed ends inconcave margins having a radius 'ofcurvature slightly less than that of the tube. These concave rnar gins are horizontally spaced apart adistance than the outside di; ameter of the tubf On the upper margin of the frame proximate the center of the tube, a seat is mounted which permits the weight of the operator to be centrally supported by the tube. The frame includes a pair of pedals for actuating a gear-driven shaft having a propeller at the rear end thereof and also includes a tiller-actuated rudder to direct the vehicle when propelled in the water.

It is a primary object of the within invention to provide a safe means for using inflated inner tubes in water. Accordingly, a frame is provided for the tube, which will extend vertically below the surface of the water to function as a keel thereby stabilizing the tube and eliminating its tendency to capsize.

It is another primary object of the within invention to provide a frame support for an inflated inner tube which permits easy propulsion of the tube through the water. To accomplish this object, the frame includes: a seat in registry with the hole of the tube to distribute the weight of the rider equally on the tube and a forward extension, which functions like the bow of a boat.

It is a further object of the within invention to provide means to propel and direct the vehicle formed by the frame and tube through the water. Accordingly, the frame is provided with a pedal-actuated propeller, a tiller and a rudder.

Patented May 9, 1961 Fig. 1 is an elevational view of one side of a boat frame according to the within invention.

Fig. 2 is a top plan view of the embodiment shown in Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a front elcvational view of the embodiment of Fig. 1.

Fig. 4 is an elevational view of the other side of the embodiment of Fig. 1. Fig. 5 is an enlarged fragmentary view, partially broken away, of the pedal and .drive arrangement shown in Fig.4..

Referring now more particularly to the drawings, indicated generally at A is a preferred embodiment of a boat frame according to the invention. Frame A is adapted to receive an inflated inner tube, such as the one indicatedby the dotted lines at 45. The tube is mounted in the cut-out portion 35, better seen in Fig. 1 of'the drawings, so that its diameter is in direct alignment with the horizontal extension of the frame and will project" laterally on opposite sides thereof. The projection of as a pair of pontoons or'the outrigging of a canoe.

As best seen in Figs. 1 and 4, the tube receiving cutout 35 is substantially U-shaped, and is defined at oppositely-disposed ends by concave margins 37 'and 39.: ""Ihesemargins havela radius of curvature slightly less i than the radius of curvature of an inflated inner tube, and

are spaced apart a distance slightly. less than the tubes diameter. When the resilient tube is placed in the cut-"'- out and properly aligned with the frame, it is securely maintained in position. Provided on the upper margin of the frame within the area enclosed by the tube is a seat i 43. The seat is positioned on the frame to locate the operator centrally of the tube thereby evenly distributing hisweightover the supporting surfaces of the tube and virtually eliminating the ability of the vehicle to capsize In this regard the vertical extension 3 of frame A serves as a keel similar to that of a sail boat further stabilizing the vehicle.

Referring more specifically to the boat frame, it will be seen that fore and aft of the keel portion 3 the frame also comprises a how 5 and a stern 7. The angularlyinclined bow 5 acts as a break water to decrease the resistance normally encountered by the tube when an attempt is made to propel it in water. Also, bow 5 gives a boat-like appearance to the frame, which appearance is enhanced by deck members 9 and 11 which project laterally on opposite sides of frame A and also function to increase stability. The foredeck 9 may include a mast-receiving support 13, and when mast is mounted therein, the vehicle assumes the appearance of a sailboat.

The vehicle as thus far described may be furnished without mechanical propulsion means, and when such is the case, it may be propelled by treading water from a seated position. However, I have found that the device is put to more enjoyable use when provided with mechanical propulsion means to permit more rapid move ment across the water. Accordingly, as best seen in Figs. 4 and 5, frame A preferably includes a pedal-actuated drive generally comprising. a propeller 27 mountedwhich engages a pedal-driven gear 31secured to pedal bar 33 for rotation when pedals 41, eccentrica'lly mounted at the ends of bar 33, are actuated by the feet of the operator. Housing the gear 31 and pinion 29' are a pair of outwardly-extending plates 35 and 37 attached to the frame. Abutting these plates, which also act as bearings forvthe rotatable pedal bar 33, are a pair of sleeves 39, provided as stops to prevent lateral movement of bar 33. Thus, when the operator is positioned on seat 43, he may manipulate pedals 41 in a manner similar to :his familiar Wheel toys' or bicycle. Such manipulation rotates gear 31 to drive pinion 29 and propeller 27 mounted on the'end of rotatable shaft 21. As the weight of the operator is distributed evenly over the supporting services i of the tube, a of water is displaced and. the vehicle will glide smoothly and at a rate of speed commensurate with the operators abilities.

Referring now to the stem end 7 of the vehicle, steering means is desirably provided to permit direction of the vehicle by the operator. The steering means includes a tiller 15 journaled in the end of frame A and attached to an arcuately-movable rudder pivotally mounted on pin 26. By actuating the tiller to right or left, the rudder will turn a like amount to change the course of the vehicle as desired In the operation of the device, the inner tube is inflated and fitted into cut-out 35 with the diameter of the tube properly aligned with the horizontal extension of frame A., The vehicle is then placed in the water. The operator may climb over the tube onto the seat or may enter the seat from beneath the tube. Then by manipulating the pedals and tiller, vehicle may be propelled and directed to transport the operator over the water.

Although the foregoing invention has been described in some detail by way of illustration and example for purposes of clarity. of understanding, it is understood that certain changes and modifications may be practiced within the spirit of the invention and scope of the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. Means for mounting an inflated inner tube comprising: a frame; said frame having a horizontal extension greater than the outside diameter of an inflated inner tube and a vertical extension greater than the outside cross-sectional diameter of an inflated inner tube; said 7 frame defining asubstantially -U-shaped cut-out portion located between the vertical margins of said frame to receive an inflated inner tube normal to said frame and extended on opposite sides thereofisaid cut-out portion terminating at oppositely-disposed ends in concave margins having a radius of .curvature slightly less than the radius of curvature of said tube; said margins spaced apart horizontally 'a' distance slightly less 1 than the out- 7 the outside radius'of curvature of said tube andterminate at theirupper ends in downwardly-extending flanges; said oppositely-disposed legs being spaced apart a distance slightly less than the outside diameter of said tube; said tube mounted in said cut-out so that'the diameter of the 'tube is substantially in alignment with the horizontal extension of said sheet whereby said tube is securely maintained in position by said sheet and projects laterally on opposite sides of said sheet.

4. A water vehicle comprisingin combination: a frame having a substantially U=shaped cut out at the upper end thereof between the vertical margins of said frame; said U-shaped'cut-out formed to snugly receive an inflated inner tube therein; an inner tube mounted in said cut-out and extending laterally on opposite sides of said frame; a seat mounted on the upper horizontal margin of said frame, normal to said frame and below the interior of said tube, whereby 'an operator may be supported on said frame inside said tube.

-5. A water vehicle according to claim 4; in which the frame includes: ped abactuated drive means mounted on said frame, a propeller at one end of said drive means; a rudder on said frame proximate'said propeller; and a tiller iournaled in said frame to actuate said rudder.

References Cited in the file ofthis patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Helm Dec. 14, 1926 Wood Apr. 13, 1954 in-mm 

